Hassouns lose chance for $1 million

Lynch, an Army supply clerk, was rescued in a commando raid 20 days after her convoy took a wrong turn and was ambushed in Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March 2003. Nine soldiers from Lynch's unit and two others traveling with them were killed.

"Jessica Lynch got a million," Sands said, but "there was proof she got captured."

Hassoun, whose main duty was a truck driver, was asked to be an Arabic translator for an undercover Marine intelligence operation while in Iraq. He was reported missing June 20. Investigators later reported Hassoun had stolen a Humvee vehicle at the time.

On June 27, the Al-Jazeera Arabic news network broadcast a grainy video, showing Hassoun blindfolded with a sword held above his head. Marines declared Hassoun captured but later changed his status to deserted. On July 8, Hassoun showed up in Beirut, Lebanon — hundreds of miles away from Iraq — where he contacted the U.S. Embassy there.

In the following weeks, Hassoun underwent a repatriation process in Germany and was returned to Camp LeJeune, after which he was allowed leave to spend time with his family in Utah.

In his only two public statements, Hassoun has maintained that he was captured in Iraq and stressed his loyalty to the U.S. Marine Corps.

"We had been aware there had been discussions of a book and a movie," said Marine spokesman Maj. Matthew Morgan.

Just after Hassoun's return to the United States, Morgan said numerous publicists were beating down the doors to get the Hassoun story. "There were numerous folks with agencies attempting to get in touch with Wassef and his family members," Morgan said.

Morgan said he could not say if the Marines knew where Hassoun was, but added the Marines will continue to list Hassoun as deserted.

Sands said he would only reopen negotiations on a book deal if the military were to drop all charges against Hassoun. "I think he should give himself up and come back and tell us the real story," Sands said.

Mohamad Hassoun said there is still a chance that there may be a book through another deal. He said his brother wanted to "get his story out." When asked what information, or message, that Hassoun wanted to get out, Mohamad Hassoun said, "You would have to read the book."

---

Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com